Board Seen Extending Schools' Chief's Pact

Art Johnson likely will remain Palm Beach County schools superintendent a few more years.

Johnson's one-year contract expires at the end of June, but a majority of the seven School Board members said they plan to offer him a multiyear extension at a Feb. 11 meeting.

"I think overall as a board we're happy with his work," School Board Chairman Tom Lynch said. "Dr. Johnson has been trying to do what the board wants him to do. He's hired good people. It's tough to make any kind of systemic change overnight, but I see us on the right road."

Board members Sandra Richmond, Bill Graham and Ed Garcia also said they plan to support a contract extension. Debra Robinson said she wants to wait until the board evaluates Johnson before deciding whether she would like him to stay. Susan Whelchel couldn't be reached for comment. Paulette Burdick wouldn't specifically say how she plans to vote, although she said last fall she would support extending his contract and said Monday nothing significant has changed since then.

Several board members have cited a need for stability. The district has had three regular superintendents and two interim ones in seven years.

Johnson earns $156,279 a year, with the possibility of a bonus for student achievement and other factors. Board members won't discuss his bonus until the fall, after all the necessary data for the current school year is available.

Board members also said they have been impressed with how Johnson uses research to make decisions. He often cites statistical data from around the United States to give his opinion on whether a particular program is effective.

He also is well liked by many district employees, Richmond said. "The principals and people in the schools overwhelmingly approve of Art's leadership, and that's what counts."

Board members said Johnson's contract likely will be for either two or three years. Most said they are comfortable with a multiyear contract as long as it contains an escape clause, so board members can fire Johnson without an expensive buyout if they become unhappy with his performance.

Johnson, who was in Tallahassee on Monday, could not be reached for comment.

Johnson, 57, has been an educator for more than 30 years, serving as a teacher, a principal and a district administrator. He also spent two years on the county School Board but resigned in 2000 to become chief academic officer under then-Superintendent Ben Marlin.

When Marlin left, Johnson was one of the first to express interest in the job. Board members debated whether to offer the job to him or conduct a national search. They opted to offer him the job for a one-year period, saying they would do a national search if he didn't work out.

Former board member Jody Gleason, who resigned in December, said last fall she regretted only giving short-term contracts. She said it was hard to recruit administrators because job candidates didn't know if Johnson would be replaced after a year. In October, Gleason urged board members to extend his contract. But some board members opposed that idea, saying that Johnson hadn't been evaluated yet. They also wanted to wait until closer to Johnson's one-year anniversary.

Lynch said board members will meet individually with Johnson in the next two weeks. Then they will evaluate him and discuss a contract extension at the Feb. 11 meeting.

Scott Travis can be reached at stravis@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6637.